Acid Horizon cover image

Acid Horizon

"What's Wrong With Extinction?" with Claire Colebrook

Dec 22, 2024
In this captivating discussion, Claire Colebrook, a Professor of English and Theory at the University of Sydney, delves into the philosophical nuances of extinction. She challenges anthropocentric views, urging listeners to reconsider extinction beyond mere human survival. The conversation weaves through existential themes, exploring the implications of identity in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' and the interconnectedness of life and death. Colebrook also addresses the evolving boundaries of literature, questioning how new forms can reshape our understanding of existence.
47:41

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Claire Colebrook argues that extinction invites a reevaluation of anthropocentrism, urging us to consider its implications beyond mere human survival.
  • The discussion highlights how literature, through works like Milton's and Shelley's, shapes our understanding of human identity in relation to extinction.

Deep dives

The Complexity of Extinction

Extinction poses a complex dilemma that challenges our understanding of existence. While extinction is an inevitable aspect of ecological processes, it also raises ethical questions about life and death. The speaker emphasizes that humans are products of previous mass extinctions, suggesting that our own existence is intertwined with these events. This perspective compels a reflection on what extinction means for humanity and whether it signifies a biological endpoint or the beginning of a new relational understanding of life.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode